DU takes its students on an educational train journey

As Gyanodaya Express, Delhi University's (DU) exclusive "educational train", pulled out of the Safdarjung station on Sunday morning, Savita Dagar doggedly guarded her window seat.

"Everyone wants it," said the student of BA Programme in Bhagini Nivedita College, who was among nearly 940 girl students from 36 different DU colleges "invited" for a 12-day educational journey across several states. In fact, there are 31 students from her college.

Organised and funded by DU, the itinerary includes Sabarmati Ashram, the naval docks in Mumbai, Indian Space Research Organisation in Bangalore and Sevagram in Wardha.

"We had invited all colleges to send their students, but only 36 of them responded. As many as 81 students have come from Daulat Ram," DU's deputy proctor Mohammad Kazim said.

"One coach has been turned into a library. Students are supposed to read a book and submit a review at the end of the journey," Kazim said.

Vice-Chancellor Dinesh Singh said several competitions would be held during the journey, with the winner getting a university-sponsored family trip.

Suchi Khanna, a third-year student of Statistics (Hons) in Ramjas, and Shreya Malik of SGTB Khalsa are the lone representatives from their respective colleges. "I came to know about it from the university website. I approached my college administration, got my medical check-up done and enrolled for the trip," Suchi said.

It will be the first trip outside Delhi for Rubal Chandra and Priyanka Singh — both BCom (Programme) students in Shaheed Bhagat Singh College. "We are looking forward to visiting Goa and Bangalore," Rubal said.

Bhagini Nivedita College principal Dr Purabi Saikia said many students were travelling out of Delhi for the first time, except for girls in the NCC programme. "It's a huge step forward for most of them," she said.

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